As soon as you touch down, you’ll understand why the local biking community is so passionate about mountain biking in Queenstown. There’s three lift-assisted bike parks, the Ben Lomond Trails up Skyline, Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, a world-famous dirt jump park, and one of the most hard-core freestyle jump tracks in the world, right at your fingertips.
Here’s five reasons why Queenstown is the ultimate mountain biking destination.
Epic views from Rude Rock, Coronet Peak
Queenstown’s world-famous trails
Whatever your preferred discipline, there’s a trail for you. From dirt jumps at Gorge Rd to Wynyard’s renowned Dream Track, and the Ben Lomond Trails, the options are endless.
Cross-country riders are well catered for with kilometres of single-track and 4WD trails starting right from the centre of town. The XC track at Coronet Peak has incredible views and the bike park at 7-Mile has a cross country network right next to Lake Wakatipu.
Infamous trails such as Rude Rock up Coronet Peak and McNearly Gnarly at Fernhill Bike Park are not to be missed during your time here. These flow trails are MTB perfection, with smooth single track, jumps and berms guaranteeing a good time. For adventurous riders, trails like Huck Yeah or Salmon Run on the Ben Lomond Trails put your skills to the test.
McNearly Gnarly, Fernhill
Ride with the locals
The Queenstown Mountain Bike Club is the heart of Queenstown's MTB scene. The club's volunteers are a passionate bunch who build and maintain the trails that make Queenstown famous, and if you bump into a club member they’ll be more than happy to share their favourite trail with you.
The team at Atlas Beer Café are also staunch supporters of the local scene, and local bikers are often hanging out having a cold one after their ride. There's no doubt they'll be into having a chat, giving you some advice, or even inviting you along for a ride.
Top tip: download the QMTBC app for all the latest trail updates and some sweet local deals. Plus, you'll be supporting the growth of the trail network you love to ride, giving you that extra feel-good factor.
Ben Lomond Trails
Ride where the pros ride
Queenstown is a training ground for the world’s best mountain bikers. Over the summer Queenstown is a hot spot for world class-riders like Loic Bruni, Finn Iles, Bernard Kerr, Ed Masters, George Brannigan and our very own Red Bull biker Remy Morton. Stop by the Gorge Road dirt jumps or Dream Track and watch some of the world’s best doing jumps and flips.
Dream Track, Wynyard Bike Park
Epic racing and local events
Queenstown hosts some of the greatest international riders for Enduro, XC and DH events. Events like TransNZ come to the area for multiple days of enduro racing. But it's not all about the international races, some of the smaller local events are just as epic. Vertigo Bikes run a summer downhill series of events, with at least one event on each month. To kick start the year, the Queenstown Mountain Bike Club hosts the McGazza Fest, a weekend full of riding to celebrate the legacy of legendary local rider Kelly McGarry. Mark your calendars for next year from 31 January to 2 February 2025.
Atlas Beer Cafe
The après-bike scene
After a day of shredding trails, Queenstown's vibrant town center offers the perfect place to relax and refuel. With a wide array of restaurants, bars, and breweries, you can swap stories with fellow riders and plan your next day's adventures. The town's friendly atmosphere and shared love for mountain biking create an unbeatable community vibe.
Arguably one of the best parts of riding in Queenstown is finishing with a refreshing swim in Lake Whakatipu and a beer at a local brewery like Altitude or Gantley's Tavern. Just by looking at the bikes parked outside, it is easy to see where the popular watering holes for post ride refreshments are. Spots like Fergburger and Devil Burger serve tasty takeaway food, perfect to enjoy on the lakeside.